Rifle Scopes What's the best anti cant level that won't break the bank for a 35mm tube scope?
- Thread starter TSU99
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A practiced and experienced eyeball behind the scope that's properly "leveled" on the rifle. If you can't see "level" and "horizontal" in your scope while aiming, there's no "anti-cant level" that requires you to look at an outside reference and take your eye/mind off the target that's going to "fix" that for you.
I won't discount anyone's experience but a lot of people think they are a lot better at eyeballing "level" than they really are. Without having used a level long enough to find out how good you are at it most shooters really have no idea and fool themselves as to their skill.
Lots of very highly experienced pilots who aren't IFR trained/current enter IMC and decide to trust what their body's telling them. Know how they often come out of the clouds? Dead. Morale of the story is, your body's going to lie to you. A lot. Why not make use of an inexpensive instrument that won't lie to help keep you level?
The best anti cant level that won't break the bank is your natural hold and vestibular sense (see video below), that being said MK Machining is probably your best bet if you feel you must have a level on the cheap.
So you trust your "body" and specifically your EYE(S) to "save your life" when it comes to everything BUT making sure the rifle/scope aren't "canted" at which point you trust your...EYE(S) and a "level" to do that for you. OK. Thanks for clarifying that.
You are comparing in flight scenarios with being on stable ground; you cannot compare the 2. In the air, you are dealing with Gs, neg Gs ,and spatial disorientation such as empty field myopia.
Actually on stable ground, the body is actually quite good at maintaining a level plane of sight. In fact, people develop serious musculoskeletal pathology over time due to postural inefficiencies from the brain prioritizing keeping a level field of view. For example, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are chronic conditions that can often result from asymmetrical muscular hypertrophy. Hip pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and leaning posture, yet the eyes fight to stay level.
As a pilot, I'm well aware of all that gentlemen, thank you. My point was, as efficient as the human body is, a variety of factors affect your perception whether you know it or not. Aiming at something that displays a false horizon of any kind can give you conflicting information. Why not have something on hand that can give you correct info, if needed? You guys are welcome to disagree, it won't hurt my feelings, and I obviously understand lives are rarely at stake for most of us shooting at distance. But I view life through the lens of "why not use a tool that makes life easier?" and "two is one and one is none." 
I hope you know that it is not my intention to marginalize you in any way, so I apologize if I came off like that. I'm an ex pilot myself. It's a combination of eyes and ears (semicircular canals) responsible for the level reticle. So regardless if you are looking at a slanted horizon, a healthy person will level that reticle within a very small margin of error. Yes I agree that it isn't bad to have something available, for sure. I had a level for some time, but I felt that it just kinda slowed me down and made me doubt myself rather than just letting the round fly. I was just pointing out that you don't absolutely need a level, but if you want to use one, totally go for it; especially if it boosts your confidence and helpsAs a pilot, I'm well aware of all that gentlemen, thank you. My point was, as efficient as the human body is, a variety of factors affect your perception whether you know it or not. Aiming at something that displays a false horizon of any kind can give you conflicting information. Why not have something on hand that can give you correct info, if needed? You guys are welcome to disagree, it won't hurt my feelings, and I obviously understand lives are rarely at stake for most of us shooting at distance. But I view life through the lens of "why not use a tool that makes life easier?" and "two is one and one is none."
I don't think anyone is saying you shouldn't use a level. I also believe that many shooters are still setting their scopes to be perpendicular to the rail, this would be the case if you mount your scope using feeler gauges, the Spuhr tool, etc. This is fine if your stock has adjustable cant, if it does not then what you will be fighting with (level or not) is your natural hold. Very few, if any, of us have a shoulder pocket that is perfectly vertical, when we bring the rifle up and get our cheek weld we will naturally cant the rifle so that it fits our shoulder pocket comfortably, if you've leveled your scope to your rail this will also mean your reticle will now be canted and will no longer be plumb. If you've properly mounted a level on your scope, you will see the bubble is off to one side and you will want to correct. I do not think this is the best way to mount your scope, you should use a level or a plumb line (something that will tell you what is perfectly perpendicular to the horizon) then find your natural hold (it should be pretty much the same regardless of what position you're in) and adjust (cant) your scope accordingly. If you'd still like to mount a level to your scope as "insurance" feel free, but make sure that level is also level with the cant of the scope. If you do this, I think you will find that more often than not, when you seat your rifle and get proper cheek weld you will find that you are not having to correct your hold nearly as much as you used to.
Now, all that being said, if you do have a rifle with a stock that has adjustable cant, you can mount your scopes so they are perpendicular to the rail because then you're going to adjust your stock cant to fit your natural hold which will then bring your scope reticle back to plumb.
Now, you might ask won't that slight cant between the scope and the barrel throw off the bullet in long range flight and Frank used to have an article and video on the old Scout site that addressed this, it's been a while but if I recall correctly the difference or effect is so minute that it should not effect our ability to get a hit on target.
Now, all that being said, if you do have a rifle with a stock that has adjustable cant, you can mount your scopes so they are perpendicular to the rail because then you're going to adjust your stock cant to fit your natural hold which will then bring your scope reticle back to plumb.
Now, you might ask won't that slight cant between the scope and the barrel throw off the bullet in long range flight and Frank used to have an article and video on the old Scout site that addressed this, it's been a while but if I recall correctly the difference or effect is so minute that it should not effect our ability to get a hit on target.
I have an extra Vortex bubble level still in original packaging. I will send it to you for $25.00. If you like it send me the money or just return it.
Thanks DannC
Thanks DannC
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